영어
yeong'eo[jʌ̹ŋʌ̹]
The English language in Korean is 영어 (yeong'eo).
영어 refers to the English language.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 영어 as the direct object of a verb (e.g., 'to speak English'), you add the object marker 를 to get 영어를.
How do you pronounce it?
yeong'eo
Did you know?
- If you see the Hanja characters 囹圄 used in a different context, they actually refer to 'prison' or 'confinement' rather than the English language.
- In South Korea, the study of 영어 is such a cultural phenomenon that it has spawned a specialized industry of 'English academies' called hagwons.
- When Koreans talk about their ability to speak English, they often use the term 영어 실력 (English skill) instead of saying 'my English'.
Examples in context
- 저는 영어를 공부하고 있습니다.I am studying the English language.
- 난 영어 영화를 볼 거야.I'm going to watch an English language movie.
- 저는 영어를 공부해요.jeoneun yeong-eo-reul gongbu-haeyo.I study English.
- 영어를 할 수 있어요?yeong-eo-reul hal su isseoyo?Can you speak English?
- 이 책은 영어로 쓰여 있어요.i chaeg-eun yeong-eo-ro sseu-yeo isseoyo.This book is written in English.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are talking about their study plans at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨는 영어 공부를 해요?Min-jun ssi-neun yeong-eo gongbu-reul hae-yo?Min-jun, are you studying English?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 요즘 영어를 배우고 있어요.ne, yo-jeum yeong-eo-reul bae-u-go isseoyo.Yes, I am learning English these days.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 멋지네요!jeong-mal meot-ji-ne-yo!That is really cool!
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨도 같이 할래요?Ji-eun ssi-do gat-i hal-lae-yo?Do you want to do it together, Ji-eun?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 영어, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 영어, CC BY-SA 4.0.
